ExperiencesOn the water · Plymouth, Massachusetts

Captain John Boats

Plymouth's long-running whale watch and deep-sea fishing fleet, sailing from the Town Wharf on the harbor.

Cape Cod Bay is a federally protected feeding ground, and from spring through fall humpback, finback and minke whales gather on Stellwagen Bank just offshore. Captain John Boats runs the daily whale watch out of Plymouth's Town Wharf — roughly a four-hour round trip with a naturalist aboard.

Book ahead in July and August, dress a layer warmer than the forecast suggests, and pick a morning sailing if anyone in the group is prone to seasickness — the bay is usually flattest before the afternoon sea breeze fills in.

The same fleet runs deep-sea fishing trips and the seasonal fast ferry to Provincetown, so it's an easy anchor for a full day on the water.

Whale watchFamilyOn the water

Hours change seasonally in Plymouth — call ahead or check the website before you drive over.

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